“Science is more than just a body of knowledge. It is a way of thinking” –Carl Sagan
Science is a body of knowledge that has been collected over time but, as Carl Sagan so rightly says, it is more than that. With that in mind, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to learn more about science, recognize how it has shaped the nature of our society and even, as this great communicator says, have us think a certain way.
Considering the current global situation, the need to strengthen scientific culture among the general public is evident. By encouraging critical thinking and the search for evidence, science empowers us to make informed decisions and address global challenges ranging from climate change to misinformation and intolerance.
A group of institutions kick-started the International Day of Scientific Culture initiative on September 28, in 2020. This date was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the first episode of Carl Sagan’s ‘Cosmos’ television series, one of the most influential informative science programs in history.
As pointed out by SOMEDICYT (Mexican Society for the Dissemination of Science and Technology), science is a common good that transcends disciplinary boundaries and institutions. By integrating scientific culture into our daily lives, we can improve our quality of life and contribute to the progress of society.
Scientific culture encompasses not only knowledge of concepts, but also understanding of the role of science in the advancement of society and appreciation of its contributions. Moreover, society needs scientifically educated citizens to make progress in an integrated fashion.
Universities play a crucial role in promoting scientific culture. By training committed researchers and professionals, educational institutions can generate relevant knowledge and foster innovation. Consequently, science outreach becomes a bridge between academia and society, inspiring new generations and strengthening the bond.
At TecScience, our goal is to communicate the scientific progress made by the Tecnológico de Monterrey in a clear and accessible way. We seek to arouse a broad segment of the public’s curiosity and inspire and encourage their interest in science with inspiring stories and analyses of current issues.
Our job as scientists is not limited to making discoveries but also involves sharing this knowledge with the world. Failure to do so would be a failure of one of the most important moral imperatives of science in the 21st century. At this moment in history, when addressing major scientific challenges has never been more imperative and important, we have a special duty to share our knowledge, experience, and passion. It forms part of our social contract as scientists. To do less would be a moral failure of science and academia.
